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Gurudwara Shri Nankana sahib at kashipur, Uttarakhand in 2018, By RaviVerma2018 – Own work,

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Gurdwara Nankana Sahib

Gurdwara  Nankana Sahib is one of the most important sacred sites in Pakistan that has received many tourists and followers every year with the purpose to express their devotions. Pakistan has been declared one of the hottest and best tourist destinations in the world due to the increase in religious tourism. The Sikh community lives here peacefully and enjoys its rituals and events and also offers the Sikh believers and also non-believers tourists who wish to visit the remains of Sikh saints. 

Nankana Sahib is therefore the most important historical and religious site for Sikhs from all over the world since it is the birthplace of the Baba Guru Nanak Dev, who is also called Gurdwara Janam Asthan. Guru Nanak is the one who founded Sikhism and he is said to have been born in 1469. Following his footsteps, ten Gurus emerged in Sikhism, whose teachings are greatly followed in Pakistan, and are popular among other religious groupings as well.

 Therefore gurdwara Nankana Sahib might be a sacred place for Sikhs, however, it holds sentimental value for people of other beliefs as well who visit the place regularly. Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation of Nankana Sahib University here in October 2019.

Here are the  top 10 unbelievable facts about Gurdwara Nankana Sahib

1. It was originally built around 1600 CE

The Gurdwara Nankana Sahib Pakistan was originally constructed around  1600 CE and it was later on renovated in 1819-20CE by Gian Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh the Sikh Conference of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Peshawar, Kangra, and Hazara. Its history dates back to when the British took over Punjab in 1849 after the Hindus started occupying the Sikh Gurdwaras.

2. It was the site of a violent episode

During British rule, the Gurdwara Janam Asthan was the site of a violent episode when in 1921, over 130 Akali Sikhs were killed after they were attacked by the Mahant of the shrine. The incident is regarded as one of the key milestones in the Gurdwara Reform Movement, which led to the passing of the Sikh Gurdwara Act in 1925 and ended the Mahant’s control of Gurdwaras. In 2014, Pakistan had a memorial for the massacre building.

3. It is believed to have been built where Guru Nanak was believed to be born

gurudwara shrShrinkana sahib in kashipur, uttUttarakhand  RaviVerma2018 – Own work,

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib is a highly revered gurdwara that was built at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was believed to be born. The shrine is located in the city of Nankana Sahib, near the city of Lahore in the Pakistani province of Punjab. Gurdwara Janam Asthan is believed to be located at the site where Guru Nanak was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta.

4. It was previously known as Talwandi

Nankana Sahib was previously known as Talwandi, and it was founded by Rai Bhoi, a wealthy landlord. Rai Bhoi’s grandson, Rai Bular Bhatti, renamed the town ‘Nankana Sahib’ in honor of the Guru. ‘Sahib’ is an Arabic-origin epithet of respect, after Guru Nanak Sahib was born.

5. The area around Nankana Sahib was formerly a tehsil of Sheikhupura District

The area around Nankana Sahib was formerly a tehsil of Sheikhupura District. In May 2005, the provincial government raised the status of Nankana Sahib to a district,  as a way of promoting development in the area.

6. The gurdwara was named after the first Guru of the Sikhs

I took this photo of a painting of Guru Nanak on a tiled wall at Manikaran Hot Spring, Himachal Pradesh, India, By John Hill – Own work,

Guru Nanak, who was born in the city was the first Guru of the Sikh and was the first to begin preaching here. Guru Nanak is the one who founded Sikhism and he is said to have been born in 1469.

Today it is a city of high historic and religious value and a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world.

7. Grand and traditional events take place at the Gurdwara

A very grand and traditional event takes place at Gurdwara, to celebrate the anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Few Sikhs are usually appointed officially to look after this whole fair. Every year in Baisakhi the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak is celebrated. During that period a large number of Sikhs pay a visit to Gurdwara to perform their religious rituals with full zest.

8. It has a distinctive architecture

Gurudwara Shri Nankana sahib at kashipur, Uttarakhand in 2018, By RaviVerma2018 – Own work,

Like most normal Sikh architecture, the layout of this building is based on a rectangular orientation, with an all-around gallery at midheight. Apart from the entrance and the langar khana (where special food is prepared), the place is unroofed and the floor has white marble flooring which shines in broad daylight. This massive gurdwara’s front is painted in hues of light yellow and is two stories tall with white domes at the top. These domes spring from a floral base and have inverted lotus symbols from which rise the Kalas or ornate finial.

9. The gurdwara is a protected Heritage monument of the archeology

The gurdwara complex is listed on the Protected Heritage Monuments of the Archaeology Department of Punjab. In Pakistan, there is an extensive list of protected archaeological sites and monuments under the Antiquities Act 1975. The Federal Department of Archaeology maintains a master register that has the basic and vital information on the protected monuments and sites.

10. It is frequently visited by Sikh Yatris as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan

Gurudwara Shri Nankana sahib in kashipur, Uttarakhand, By RaviVerma2018 – Own work,

The gurdwara forms part of an ensemble of nine important gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikh Yatris as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan.“ Pakistan usually provides maximum facilitation to the Sikh Yatris from all over the world, including India, for visiting their religious sites in Pakistan.